Why is a Yarmulke worn?

Answer 1

Answer 1

The custom of wearing a kippah, or yarmulke, is very old, and its origins are lost to time, but today it is generally associated with the idea of reminding the wearer of God's eternal presence, and/or creating a slight separation between the wearer and God.

Answer 2

Why would someone dress formally in the presence of a king or queen. Look at pictures of the ceremonies at Buckingham Palace when the Queen is giving people honors: most people have top hats, formal suits etc.

Jews believe that God is all around us. As a matter of honor, and to demonstrate that He is there, we wear a hat or a yarmulka/kappel/kippa (whatever the local terminology may be) to represent this fact.

Answer 3

It has become a custom in Judaism for men to wear a yarmulke. However it is a fairly recent custom, being only about 400 years old. The purpose is to remind the man that he is a servant of God. A secondary purpose is to identify him as a Jew. Just as the Muslim observes certain customs that are not commanded by the Koran, so the Jew observes certain customs that are not specifically commanded by the Judaic Scriptures. Unless it is specifically forbidden, a custom that honors God is permitted and this is one of them.

Answer 4

Answer 3, stating that the yarmulke is a recent custom, isn't actually true. The yarmulke is mentioned emphatically in the Talmud, 1800 years ago (Kallah 1:16).

The only stated purpose (Talmud, Shabbat 156b) is to add awareness of God (not to "serve as a separation" as said in answer 1).
The correct spelling is yarmulke, also called kippahs, and they are worn as a sort of reminder of god, who is a higher being "above us". In other words they are a "means to draw out one's inner sense of respect for god".

Answer 2

Answer 1

Jewish males have covered their heads for as far back as we can trace. This practice is twice mentioned emphatically in the Talmud (Shabbat 156b; Kallah 1:16), in statements dating back 1700 and 1850 years, respectively. Even then, covering one's head is spoken of as an established practice, not something new. It is done to remind oneself of God's presence.

The name itself, Yarmulke, holds the answer. It's two Aramaic words combined: Yira (fear) and Malke (the King). The Yarmulke is meant to remind the wearer to be conscious of the Supreme King (G-d) at all times. That's why we wear it on our heads, to remind us of our faith in G-d, who is higher than we are, and beyond our comprehension. The Talmud relates that a mother was once warned by an astrologer that her newborn son would grow up to be a thief. She asked the Sages for advice on how to avoid this terrible destiny and they advised her to keep his head covered at all times. It worked, and he grew to become a Sage himself.

Answer 2

Traditionally, Jewish men and boys wear the kippah at all times, a symbol of their awareness of, and submission to, a "higher" entity. There is no requirement either biblically nor explicitly stated in the Talmud that this practice be followed although the practice is noted in the Talmud. Yet, through the ages it became an accepted Jewish custom, which, according to the majority of halachic authorities, makes it mandatory. One should, therefore, not walk or even sit, bareheaded. Small children should also be taught to cover their heads. There are many types of kippahs.

Answer3

It doesn't say to wear a yarmulke (or in other words a kippa) in the Torah. Jews wear a Kippa because they believe God is above them and for respect they put a yarmulke on their heads to show that they have much respect for God. They put the yarmulke on their head because your head is the top part of your body and it's the closest to God.
They wear it to show to others and themselves that there is a G-d above us

Answer 3

Jewish men and boys wear a yarmulkes as a custom. They do this to show their appreciation and respect towards God. This ancient practice is twice mentioned in the Talmud (Shabbat 156b; Kallah 1:16), in statements dating back 1700 and 1850 years, respectively. Even then, covering one's head is spoken of as an established practice, not something new.
The Yiddish word for kippah, "yarmulkah," is a contraction of the Aramaic "yerei malkah": to be aware of the King.
Note that Jewish married women traditionally cover their hair (Talmud, Ketubot 72b). This is for the purpose of modesty - only her husband should see her beauty - since the hair is considered beautiful (Talmud, Berakhot 24a).

Answer 4

Jewish males cover their heads with a kippah and/or a hat, as a reminder of the presence of God. This practice is twice mentioned emphatically in the Talmud (Shabbat 156b; Kallah 1:16), in statements dating back 1700 and 1850 years, respectively. Even then, covering one's head is spoken of as an established practice, not something new.
The Yiddish word for kippah, "yarmulkah," is a contraction of the Aramaic "yerei malkah": to be aware of the King.

Answer 5

To remind one that there is always Someone above him and to instill in him a fear of Heaven.

Answer 6

Jewish men wear kippot (Hebrew, pl) as a physical recognition that HaShem (The Creator) is always above them.

Answer 7

Orthodox Jewish men, and married women, cover their heads at all times. The purpose of the yarmulka is to imbue us with the awareness of God's presence.

Answer 8

To signify awareness of God's presence.

Answer 9

To remind us that God is present.

Answer 10

Tradition. Pure and simple. Note that some Reform synagogues went so far as to ban yarmulkes a century ago, as part of what was seen as a period of radical rejection of traditions that could not be justified on moral grounds. Such bans are now mostly a memory.